Commander David McCampbell
David McCampbell was one of America’s famous fighter aces of World War 2. Counting 34 victories he was America’s third highest scoring ace, behind the legendary P-38 pilots Dick Bong and Thomas McGuire, and the most successful aviator from the US Navy.
From the cockpit of his F6F Hellcat “Minsi III” McCampbell commanded the air group of the USS Essex, an eminently successful unit that destroyed more hostile aircraft and sank more enemy ships than any other air group in the Pacific War. Among the most famous of their victims is the Yamato-class superbattleship Musashi.
McCampbell is also the only American pilot to become an “ace in a day” twice. The firsr time was when he shot down seven Japanese planes (5 D4Y Judys and 2 A6M Zekes) during the Marianas Turkey Shoot. He earned the same honor again at Leyte Gulf when he and a wingman attacked a force of over sixty Japanese aircraft. McCampbell shot down nine (5 A6M Zekes, 2 A6M3 Hamps, and 2 Ki-43 Oscars) and his wingman six before they were forced to end the attack due to a lack of fuel and ammunition. When McCampbell landed on the USS Langley (the Essex’s flight deck wasn’t clear), he had a grand total of two bullets left his Hellcat.
For both actions McCampbell was awarded the Medal of Honor. His citation is as follows:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commander, Air Group 15, during combat against enemy Japanese aerial forces in the first and second battles of the Philippine Sea. An inspiring leader, fighting boldly in the face of terrific odds, Comdr. McCampbell led his fighter planes against a force of 80 Japanese carrier-based aircraft bearing down on our fleet on June 19, 1944. Striking fiercely in valiant defense of our surface force, he personally destroyed 7 hostile planes during this single engagement in which the outnumbering attack force was utterly routed and virtually annihilated. During a major fleet engagement with the enemy on October 24, Comdr. McCampbell, assisted by but 1 plane, intercepted and daringly attacked a formation of 60 hostile land-based craft approaching our forces. Fighting desperately but with superb skill against such overwhelming airpower, he shot down 9 Japanese planes and, completely disorganizing the enemy group, forced the remainder to abandon the attack before a single aircraft could reach the fleet. His great personal valor and indomitable spirit of aggression under extremely perilous combat conditions reflect the highest credit upon Comdr. McCampbell and the U.S. Naval Service.
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